The Scent That Led Back
[11:25:47] Crow (melchior.wardell) approached Hecate quietly, his thoughts still on what he had found beneath Kazoo’s collar. He reached into one of the pockets of his belt and drew out the old, bloodstained piece of cloth. He held it out for her to investigate, watching her reaction carefully. “Scent.” His fingers closed around the cloth as he gave the familiar signal, then he slapped his thigh once. “Find.” He remained still, eyes reading Hecate as he waited to see whether the old scent meant anything to her.
[11:28:36] Hecate had escaped the sleen pit for a time to avoid the younger two sleens that had been harrassing her. Whisper and Hilda not surviving any run in’s with her teeth without a proper scolding in sleen style. But as Crow approached her the grumpy beast gave a deep rumble. Looking to the cloth that had been brought to her nose. She sniffed it, taking in the lingering scents before she exhaled and sneezed, the key that she had taken in the scent fully. Before she went to start to lurk around the camp, checking to see if the scent was here. Only to return back to Crow, if she was human she’d be shaking her head and looking frustrated. Instead she just sat down next to him with a grumping noise. The villain was not here, and thus they’d have to go else where.
[11:32:25] Crow (melchior.wardell) watched Hecate return, the answer apparent in the way she settled beside him with that irritated rumble. “So. Nothing here.” He crouched beside her, taking the cloth back carefully. “You found the scent. Just not the one who left it.” hE looked toward the surrounding camp, his expression thoughtful. “That means we go elsewhere.” He gave Hecate a brief pat along the side of her neck. “Good girl.” A pause, followed by the faintest hint of amusement. “Now let’s see if Kazoo’s mystery has left more than one trail.” It was perhaps odd how quick their bond had developed. He trusted the animal blind, but in return hoped to ensure her safety and wellbeing. “Let us see if Avarra might bring more recognition. I am unsure what we might learn there.” with that he pointed and gave signal to heel.
[11:38:07] Hecate rumbed as she had followed after Crow, she never was a fan of being shipped but she tolerated it. Ending there on the bricks of Avarra where her handler had brought her. Her nose sniffing the air, a deep rumble running through her. There. She was unsure of where the scent was but it lingered in the thick from the water. Whoever they were tracking was here. Smells layered on smells, it would take her a while to catch the proper scent.
[11:38:32] Crow (melchior.wardell) entered Avarra at an unhurried pace, the familiar weight of his weapons settling naturally against him. Hidden beneath his clothing rested Chaos and Order, his paired daggers, while the blade given to him by Yoko rode securely at his side. A coil of rope hung from his belt, with his whip secured where it could be reached without thought. He carried no weapon openly for display. He never had. At his side came Hecate, massive and watchful, her six-legged gait steady as she moved through the city. Crow gave her no command. She knew enough to remain close. His hand briefly rested near the hilt of Yoko’s blade before falling again. “Come, Hecate.” He continued deeper into Avarra, saying nothing more, letting the city decide what it would show him. Just as he would see if Hecate would pick up a scent.
[11:40:58] Hecate pressed her nose more to the stone of the stairs, something familiar had been this way. She caught Crow’s own smell but the scent she was on lingered there. Her nostrils flared once, twice, and then she looked towards Crow. A deep rumble, of ‘its here’ given to him in a more sleenish manner. Her claws dug into the cobble but she didn’t move into the city without Crow. However the smell, the taste of the scent was here. And so she shouldered him, that response of ‘i found it’ before she looked around. The smell was everywhere.
[11:43:54] Crow (melchior.wardell) felt Hecate’s shoulder against him and immediately stopped. His eyes lowered to the great sleen, studying the intensity of her attention. “You found it.” He glanced toward the stone beneath them, then slowly looked down the street. The scent was not faint. It was everywhere. “Interesting.” He crouched and offered Hecate the cloth again. “Take it. Show me where it is strongest.” His gaze swept across Avarra. “If the scent is everywhere…”His eyes narrowed. “…then we’re not looking for one trail. We’re looking for where it begins.”
[11:46:59] Hecate took a deep breath of the cloth as she heard Crow’s words. The large beast taking in the scent once more before she started a slow lumber, one of careful consideration as claws clicked upon the ground. Sounding off as she went to find whatever was going on. Deep rumbling noises escaping her as she turned her head from side to side. Her fangs revealed a moment before they settled. As she started to trace to where the smell started. Heading back towards the crash, trying to figure out wither it was that being the general origin. Her tail swishing behind herself in a frustrated manner.
[11:52:42] Crow (melchior.wardell) followed Hecate without interrupting her concentration. He watched the direction she chose, the slow deliberate pace, the occasional turn of her head as she worked the scent through the city. When she began leading them back toward the crash site, His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “So that’s where it begins.” He adjusted the rope at his belt and glanced toward the streets behind them. “The scent travelled from the wreck into Avarra.” Hecate’s frustrated tail earned a faint smirk. “I know.” He reached down briefly, touching the side of her neck. “You don’t like following an old trail.” He looked ahead toward the direction of the wreck. “But you found it.” He straightened, his hand resting momentarily near one of his hidden daggers. “Let’s see what else is waiting at the end of it.”
[11:56:00] Hecate rumbled as she heard Crow speaking to her. The human earning her head turning towards him as she chuffed like a diva. Her fangs opening in a frustrated hiss as she ended up where the smell of many animals and that single scent remained. A trail this old, but everwhere at the same time confused the sleen. However her massive head butted into Crow in a rare sign of affection before she waited at the gait. Watching, observing. She knew soon he’d re-open it and she’d find the quarry, though the process may take a day or two she was sure. Not that sleens weighed time like that but, when the gate opened did she start her hunt. Looking for the target that was lurking someplace. Though no one knew where.
[11:59:40] Crow (melchior.wardell) watched Hecate with a quiet amusement as the massive sleen gave that frustrated chuff, her fangs flashing in irritation at a trail that seemed to lead everywhere and nowhere at once. When her great head finally pressed into him, His hand settled against the side of her neck, fingers briefly working through the thick fur. “Yes. I know.” A faint smirk touched his mouth. “It is an inconvenient scent.” He glanced toward the gate, then back to her. The quarry was somewhere out there. Perhaps already watching. Perhaps unaware that something far more patient than a man had found its trail. He gave Hecate’s neck one final slow stroke before stepping toward the gate. “Then we hunt.” His hand reached for the latch, but he paused. “Not because we know where it is.” His eyes narrowed slightly toward the road beyond. “Because now we know where it came from.” The gate opened. He stepped aside, giving Hecate the first path beyond it. “Find it.” And he followed, leaving the choice of trail to the sleen.
[12:06:52] Hecate gave a deep grumble as she continued around, noticing something, the smell was layered. As though it was something drawing her around. She sniffed at things here, checked over things there. She was unsure to what she was looking for, quiet paces, small signs that she was getting frustrated. Yet she didn’t take it out on crow. Instead hissing at people who may step too close before leaving them alone. She allowed touches from Crow and mainly him alone, others if given permission could touch her at shorter periods. But he was an exception, he had always been respectful in his contact anyway. She scuffed her claws and then looked back to Crow. the scent was heaviest in the city, as she paced this way and that, trying to figure out where the trail would end but getting lost.
[12:13:10] Crow (melchior.wardell) slowed his pace as Hecate began to circle, watching the subtle changes in her movements rather than trying to direct her. The scuff of claws against stone drew his attention. Frustration. Not fear. Not uncertainty alone. She had found something, but the trail refused to behave like a proper trail. He crouched beside her when she finally looked back at him, resting one hand against the thick fur of her neck. “Layered.” His eyes moved across the city, taking in the streets, doorways, stalls and passing people. “That explains the confusion. Whatever left this scent didn’t simply pass through Avarra once.” He let his fingers move slowly through her fur, grounding her rather than restraining her. “Something brought the scent here. And something else carried it further.” His gaze returned to the streets. “Animals. People. Goods. Perhaps blood. Or someone deliberately moving it.” He straightened, his expression becoming thoughtful. “Don’t fight the trail, Hecate. If it is everywhere, then everywhere is information.” Hecate would have to find the thread herself. Hemerely intended to follow it.
[12:15:41] Rainy Francis-Vane (rainysky) walks up the stone steps, my feet silent and firm on the stones. With a breath, i look around and see, first the sheen, then the man, walking to the wall to give myself space as i breath in again
[12:17:39] Hecate continued to circle until Crow came to her. She turned her head to look at him with those sharp goden eyes before she chuffed at him. As though accepting what he was saying as she herself looked about once again. Trying to find the trail, where it started once more. Finding a scent once more she continued on her path. Only to pause at the sound of someone near by. Her head snapping the new scent before leaving the girl alone. The smell in Avarra leading her up and down the streets as she tried to find that threat of who she was looking for. Grumbles, chuffs, frustration. It was clear she was trying to do what she could, before looking to to the sky as a shadow flew over. The loose tarn and with that she left it alone. Continuing on her path once agian, searching.
[12:19:31] Crow (melchior.wardell) was no superhero, but his hearing was very well developed. And in his craft a six sense of being approached was trained well enough to feel the slave behind him. He cut a glance to her. His gaze not unfriendly but there was no warmth in it either. As the tarn flew he pondered if it was the same one he had seen days prior. Curious as a former tarnsman. “I know you can’t do miracles, Hecate, but you always do exceptional.” he soothed.
[12:21:57] Rainy Francis-Vane (rainysky) nods to the man, feeling the beasts eyes as well. with a soft, quiet voice, i offer “greetings Master” my eyes briefly looking to his, not in defiance, nor in fear, just in caution. quickly scanning my surroundings but allowing the moment to carry
[12:23:02] Hecate crawled over the wall towards the river and fountain, as though someone had washed their scent there, trying to figure out what it had been. There was no current sign of her target, whoever it was had little tidbits. She stuck her nose into a bush where a clue had been left. A mound of meat hiding in the town. It looked fresh enough like it had been to lure others there. As though it had been placed there a few times. She growled and pulled her head from the bush and sat down. The scent was heaviest here. It was whowever the target was had left this last. But the scent of rotten meat overpowered her scent. She was unsure to what would leave such things but disgust showed. The path ended here for now.
[12:27:31] Crow (melchior.wardell) remained still as Hecate settled, watching the great sleen rather than the people around them. The moment she withdrew her head from the bush, His attention shifted toward it. He approached slowly, crouching beside the mound without touching it. The smell reached him even before he could see the meat clearly. “Rotten.” His eyes narrowed. “Yet fresh enough to attract something.” He glanced toward the fountain, then the river, following the logic of what Hecate had discovered. Water. Washed scent. Meat placed deliberately. The same location used more than once. He looked back at Hecate. “You’ve done well.” His hand settled briefly against her neck, giving a slow scratch through the fur. “Someone has been feeding this place.” His gaze returned to the meat.”Or baiting it.” At Rainy’s greeting, He turned his head toward her. His expression remained calm, neither hostile nor particularly welcoming. “Greetings.” His eyes briefly assessed her, then returned to Hecate. “The trail ends here because the scent was deliberately buried beneath something stronger.” A faint, humorless smile appeared. “Whoever did this was either clever…”
[12:29:16] Gabbi Del-Moro (gabbisapphire): climbed the stairs from her house and crossed the courtyard, intending to check on the infirmary. A perfectly ordinary errand. She had almost begun to appreciate those again. Then a growl reached her as she emerged into the square. Gabbi stopped, one foot barely settled beside the other. Every hair upon the back of her neck stood to attention. Wonderful. At least some part of her was prepared for duty. The past few days had taught her enough to resist the urge to run. Sudden movement invited pursuit, and she had no intention of giving anything with teeth a reason to discover how poorly a small Physician ran in skirts. Nor would she risk a direct stare. For a moment, she considered continuing toward the infirmary with all the composure of a woman whose internal organs had not just attempted to retreat into her slippers. Instead, she slowly turned her head, looking over her shoulder without seeking the creature’s eyes. Please, let there be someone beside it. Someone on two legs, preferably holding a very substantial chain.She had meant to visit the infirmary in a professional capacity.
[12:31:31] Rainy Francis-Vane (rainysky) lets out a breath as the man’s attention shifted back to his task. my head tilting with curiosity, which seemed quickly, and purposely extinguished. scanning back to the docks, i step back before turning, to retrace my steps silently, a hint of urgency as i do
[12:35:03] Hecate turned her head at hte sound of a woman, lifting it, looking up to those ragid breaths before she looked back to the man who followed after her. Indeed no hefty chain attached too her. Her eyes met the woman before she turned her head back to Crow, chuffing as he scratched through her thick well kept fur. And with that she looked about, her nose working over time as the smell of something else approaching. However she didn’t approach Gabbi, she left the woman unharrassed.
[12:36:41] Crow (melchior.wardell) noticed the subtle change in Hecate before he noticed the woman approaching. The great sleen’s posture shifted, attention briefly drawn toward the square. His gaze followed.He recognized her. There was the faintest flicker of dry amusement as he took in the Physician’s careful attempt to appear as though nothing at all was wrong. “Physician.” His voice was quiet, carrying just enough to reach her without startling Hecate or the other sleen that was still in training. He moved half a step, placing himself naturally between Gabbi and the sleen without making any sudden gesture. “You’re safe.” A glance went toward Hecate. “Provided you don’t run.” He looked back at Gabbi, one eyebrow lifting slightly. “I imagine that was already going to be my advice.” he would point to both “These are mine. And fully under my supervision and responsibility. The other one … I think the one that your thrall knows very well.. I captured and took from the city.”
[12:39:06] Whisper was slow at getting up. She followed Hecate’s sent off the boat and up the stairs. She stopped and stared a few people before continuing on until reaching the courtyard. She approached Hecate only to pause seeing another person. A long stare. The slightest little growl before she climbed over the wall and passed Crow and Hecate and moving to push her muzzle down into the pond water for a drink.
[12:41:44] Gabbi Del-Moro (gabbisapphire): turned just enough to discover that one sleen had become two. There was Crow beside the black beast, however, which improved matters considerably. The absence of a hefty chain improved them somewhat less. Her eyes inadvertently met Hecate’s. Gabbi held still, releasing a careful breath when the beast turned away without charging. “Crow. You will be pleased to know that running was already losing favour with me.” Relief softened her shoulders at his explanation. “You captured the one Brokk rode? That is welcome news. I would prefer his next outing to involve walking.” Then a faint, rotten smell reached her nose. Her humour faltered. The docks came back to her: the wreck, the decomposing bodies offshore, and the discovery that the Killers had known for days before the stench finally alerted her. Surely she could wake up now. She had entertained this nightmare quite long enough. Her gaze followed the tan-striped sleen toward the pond before returning to Crow. “And the little one? Has the baby sleen been found? Perhaps it is still young enough to train.” A brief pause, her nostrils tightening. “Are you hunting something?” Her eyes shifted toward the black sleen’s working nose. “I suspect she smells it too.”
[12:45:55] Hecate chuffed and glanced to Crow once more before she looked back to Whisper, a deep rumble coming from her before she glanced over her shoulder back to crow. Waiting to see if he gave commands but also being patient as she sat there. Deep rumblings coming from her but not in aggression but disgust of the rotten meat. Her claws dug into the ground before she settled and turned to watch the young sleen behind her. Keeping it in line in her own manner.
[12:48:46] Crow (melchior.wardell) gave Gabbi a sidelong glance, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly at her comment about Brokk. “That depends on your definition of captured. Kazoo is not captured. Not anymore.” he lifted his bandaged hand up for her to see. “He simply decided that leaving was less appealing than staying.” His other hand rested briefly against Hecate’s neck as the great beast continued to work the scent. “And the little one…” He shook his head. “I haven’t found it.” His eyes moved toward the fountain and the river beyond. “Though after what I’ve found here, I’m beginning to wonder whether we’re looking for one animal at all.” He nodded toward the mound of meat. “Hecate found this. Fresh enough to be deliberate, rotten enough to be unpleasant. The scent she’s following is strongest here, but it is layered beneath the smell of meat and water.” His attention returned to Gabbi. “The trail begins at the wreck. It enters the city. Someone or something has carried that scent through Avarra.” He looked back toward Whisper
[12:48:46] Crow (melchior.wardell): ready to correct her if she was overstepping the boundaries. He would signal for Hecate to leave the rotten meat for now. “Is there a thrall about that could clean up this mess?” he asks Gabbi. He felt himself already way more than the local undertaker in the city and wondered where those truly in power were.
[12:53:52] Whisper lapped at the pond. Feeling a bit more refreshed although irritated with the scents. She turned around with water dripping from her mouth and started to pace along side Hecate. She went up and down stepping through the flowers. A few times before finally settling herself down behind Hecate. Her gaze drifting from Crow to the woman he spoke with.
[12:55:55] Gabbi Del-Moro (gabbisapphire): allowed her shoulders to ease, though she maintained a respectful distance. Being excluded from the menu afforded her an opportunity to watch Hecate, following the chuffing and patient movements of her paws. To Gabbi, it looked rather as though the sleen wished to bury the offensive discovery. She sympathised. Her gaze briefly settled upon Crow’s bandaged hand. “I see staying required some negotiation.” The humour thinned as she listened. Meat deliberately placed, a scent leading from the wreck into the city… Her eyes returned to the disturbed earth. “Then perhaps hunger alone has not been bringing them through our streets.” A troubling possibility, though she would not dress suspicion as certainty. “Brokk is not with me, unfortunately. Whoever clears this should use a shovel and keep it well away from the water.” A faint smirk touched her mouth. “As for those with authority, these are neither my performing animals nor my travelling show. I merely tend whoever gets bitten.”She glanced across the square. “Perhaps seek the Commander, assuming he exists outside conversation. Failing that, one of the Heads of Caste. They at least have a voice upon the council, and this seems an excellent occasion to use it.”
[12:56:23] Hecate turned her head and chuffed at Whisper as she came closer before she herself laid down next to the other. Ignoring the meat smell as the two people talked she looked patiently to her handler. Her eyes taking in his movements. However she was quiet, for the most part besides hissing and chuffing that was typical for a beast such as her. Patience showing upon her features of an old wise beast.
[13:02:26] Crow (melchior.wardell) glanced toward Whisper as the second sleen settled beside Hecate. The two great beasts were suddenly quiet, almost statuesque, their earlier irritation replaced by the patient stillness of hunters waiting for their handler to decide what came next. Gabbi’s words drew a faint, knowing smile. “Negotiation,” He repeated, looking briefly at his bandaged hand. “That is a generous description of being bitten.” His gaze returned to the two sleen. “Kazoo has made his position on ownership remarkably clear. I suspect the negotiation will continue.” He listened as Gabbi suggested the Commander and the Heads of Caste. His expression became more thoughtful. “The Commander.” He let the title sit for a moment. “Yes. Assuming Avarra has managed to keep one. You’re right about one thing, Physician. Hunger may explain why a beast follows a scent.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “It doesn’t explain why the scent was put here.” His attention shifted to Whisper and Hecate. He studied their calm posture, then the direction both animals had been facing before settling. “You’ve done enough for now.” releasing them from their position, but as ever under his watch and supervision. His gaze lifted toward Gabbi as he moved over the wall.
[13:07:00] Whisper responded a chuff towards Hecate. She moved her muzzle curiously through the air then towards Crow but then towards the woman. She was settled for now but once released for her position she gets up and goes back to pacing.
[13:11:08] Hecate grumbled softly as she saw the movement from Crow, standing up she scaled the wall easily for the six legged creature was a forest sleen. Up and over she went before she looked back to the other forest sleen, chuffing at her in a ‘come on’ manner as she waited, seeing if she’d have to manually pull the other sleen over the ridge. Yet she still did not approach Gabby. Sensing the fear from the other before she nudged crow just once. A warning, the smell was starting to grow once more.
[13:12:52] Gabbi Del-Moro (gabbisapphire): glanced at his bandaged hand. “Then I trust Kazoo will forgive me if I favour your side of the negotiation. I hope one of our Physicians has already attended to that. A clean bandage is reassuring, though I am professionally obliged to care what is beneath it.”She watched Whisper rise, keeping her movements unhurried and allowing the sleen room. The faint smell of decay still reached her, though she could not see its source. Her nose wrinkled slightly beneath her veil. “No. Hunger accounts for the beasts following it. How it came to be here is another matter.” Her brow creased. “First the wreck, now a trail into the city. I was rather hoping our troubles had washed ashore by accident.” As Crow moved over the wall, she turned slightly to keep him in view. “I set out this morning to check the infirmary. A modest ambition, you might think. Yet here I stand discussing suspicious meat while congratulating myself upon not becoming any.” Her gaze flicked toward the square before returning to him.“If someone is encouraging these creatures into the streets, I suspect my quiet morning will become a very busy afternoon.” Her mouth tightened.
[13:17:56] Crow (melchior.wardell) felt the single nudge against him and immediately stopped. The change in Hecate was subtle, but he had learned long ago not to ignore subtle things. His eyes moved toward the forest sleen. The scent. Stronger again. He did not raise his voice. “Physician. Stay here for the moment. And yes an apprentice under supervision of Neeve stitched the wound and bandaged it.” There was nothing to further alarm her in his tone, only certainty. “The scent has changed.” His eyes returned to Hecate. “Whatever she has found, it is closer now.” He studied the animal “Easy.” He turned to Gabbi “I think they have picked up the scent. I will continue the hunt in hope to find more answers than questions.” He turned to Hecate “Find it. Don’t chase it.” His attention hardened as he looked into the terrain beyond the wall. “Something has come back.”
[13:19:17] Whisper watched Hecate. She sudden picking up one the ques from her body language. She would move to the wall and instead of climbing over as she did earlier she would also leap over. She herself wasn’t aware of what Hecate was locked on to but only that something was amist.
[13:21:03] Hecate turned her head towards Crow, her signal having gotten through as she grumbled. Deep rumbling noises as she was clearly upset at whatever trail she had been following. Yet the smell was strong in the air, something approaching. She chuffed at Whisper and moved off, clearly expecting the other sleen to follow after her as her nails clicked and clacked, the sleen starting off in a deliberate manner, clearly intent upon her search. She would not chase but…..that didn’t mean the target may not flee. She was unsure what was to happen for now? She stalked. Headed back down to the ship crash.
[13:22:19] Gabbi Del-Moro (gabbisapphire): gave a small nod at the mention of Neeve. “Then your hand has had proper attention. Good.” His next instruction earned a rather different response. One brow rose as the second sleen disappeared over the wall, leaving her decidedly short of company on her side of it. “Crow, a moment. If something has returned, I fail to see the advantage of remaining here alone while you depart with both sets of teeth.” Her voice remained measured, pitched low enough not to distract the animals. Fear had made her attentive; it had not rendered her agreeable to being abandoned beside the flowerbeds.“I will keep clear of their work, and I have no intention of blundering ahead of you. But I am not staying in this garden by myself.” She gathered the loose fall of her skirts, looking for a passage around the wall rather than attempting the sleens’ route.“A stronger scent need not mean whatever left it is directly ahead. The breeze can change, and neither of us has established what might approach from behind.” Her green eyes returned to him, steady now. “By all means, continue your hunt. Kindly account for one small Physician who intends to reach the infirmary in possession of all her limbs.”
[13:23:21] Crow (melchior.wardell) watched the two forest sleens disappear over the wall, his expression tightening as Hecate’s deliberate pace carried her back toward the wreck. That was not a hunt driven by hunger. Hecate was tracking something she expected to find. Crow crossed the wall after them, landing lightly on the other side before pausing. He listened. No command to chase. No command to attack. Only the quiet rhythm of claws moving over earth. “Good girl,” he murmured, more acknowledgment than praise. “Keep the trail.” he glanced over his shoulder to Gabbi “I wish you well, physician.”
[13:23:47] Whisper ‘s ears perked up hearing the chuff. Smallest little growl in her chest as she would follow after Hecate.
[13:26:48] Sabrina was quietly minding her own business, FOR ONCE, tending to a wound on her belly that was juuust starting to get infected. There was a handy dandy hole where the fabric had torn away, so it was nice and easy. She froze though, catching a scent on the air. Sleen. That scent was unmistakable. She’d start to try to slip away, not that avoiding sleen was particularly possible at this point, but the brain does funny things when in flight or fight.
[13:27:46] Hecate followed the trail, to where they had been searching, only to find something strong in the bushes. Fangs revealed, as the scent of her target was all to strong here. Her head lowered to the ground as she followed after. Click click click, went her claws on the steps, the smell fresh and new. And soon upon exiting the last gate she nearly bolted around the corner. And there it was. The target, the smell permiating off of her as ears went back and front paws splayed in an act of aggression and warning. Should her victim run she would go to block the path, growling to whisper in a clear dominant manner, to block the other side. Two herding and hunting animals hopefully acting as one to block Sabrina’s way.
[13:31:40] Crow (melchior.wardell) stopped the instant Hecate rounded the corner. There. His eyes fixed on the woman ahead as the scent finally made sense. Hecate’s posture told him everything before words were necessary, the lowered head, splayed forepaws, ears back, the deep warning rumble. He did not draw a weapon. Instead, his attention flicked toward Whisper as the second sleen moved into position. “Good.” Quiet. Controlled. He stepped forward just enough to establish himself behind Hecate, keeping his movements slow and deliberate. “Hold.” His gaze remained on Sabrina. “You’ve been found.” There was no accusation in his voice yet. Only observation. He studied her carefully, the torn clothing, the wound at her belly, the way she was trying to retreat. His eyes narrowed. “You’re injured and if you move that will be the least of your worry.” he cautioned. “These sleens can hunt and heard.” he gave a small signal to Hecate and showed Whisper the one for ‘to stay’. But with only making a fist he could have them spring to action. “So I suggest you don’t run.” His voice remained almost conversational. “Now…Would you care to explain why the trail from the wreck ends with you?”
[13:32:52] Whisper watched Hecate and she noticed something in the foliage. She hunched down and her ears went back and her lowered body would start to move in from around the left as Hecate went right. Low growl as she took in the scent of what Hecate was focused on, a girl. She looked almost ready to pounce. Her tail whipping around a bit behind her. Her eye caught the signal to stay and she froze in her spot
[13:35:02] Sabrina quite soon found she was blocked off, a slee to her left, sleen to her right and a Crow in the center. She did back up slightly, but then she heard Crow’s suggestion to…not move and froze. She was shaking with terror, pale and wide eyed.
“U-um.” was all she managed in regards to his questions, her eyes daring between the two sleen, looking like she’d love to dash away but even she wasn’t that dumb…
[13:35:27] Sassy (lysander.eguzkia): sleen* darting*
[13:36:43] Hecate rumbled softly and held still, the blocking of the way to the cave as she herself gave an irritated noise. As though being held back was annoying. She could smell the blood, and the wound. Her teeth flickered as she stayed there, crouched. Muscles rippling under her fur as she waited, watching. Yet she didn’t break training, and stayed there. She was a deterrent as was Whisper. As Sabrina stayed still, so too did she. Though an eye always rested upon Crow
[13:40:47] Crow (melchior.wardell) studied Sabrina for several quiet seconds. The fear was obvious. More importantly, so was the injury. His eyes briefly moved to Hecate, then to Whisper. Both sleens were holding position, but neither looked remotely convinced that the matter was settled. “Easy.” His voice remained calm as he gave the command again, directed toward both animals. He took one measured step toward Sabrina, deliberately keeping his hands where she could see them. “You don’t need to run.” His gaze dropped briefly toward the wound at her belly before returning to her face. “And you don’t need to answer quickly.” he stated with sarcasm. “But I need to warn you. I am not the type to repeat myself very often.” A slight tilt of his head. “And I often deal with things quite permanently.” he added in warming. “Now we can do this in several ways. You can walk with me back to the infirmary so you can be checked and answer questions. You can try to flee. If my sleens can catch you, I will not hold them back. If you think you outsmarted them. I will take my bow and aim pretty well to your head. So … what will it be?” His expression hardened slightly.
[13:42:43] Whisper held a crouch position. Her body flinched at the meer ‘um’ sound that slipped from the girl. She was so tempted to pounce but held herself in place. Her ears back low threatening growl. She heard the Easy and just held her place. Her gaze flicked to Crow then the girl.
[13:45:19] Hecate too stayed in position, but she didn’t attack. Waiting for Crow’s signals she stayed there. The growling had quieted for now but she was still on alert and on the job. Giving the girl a chance to obey or be hunted. The options where very few but wait she did. Her tail slowly snaking behind herself.
[13:45:39] Sabrina shuddered as she heard that growled warning from Hecate, eyes widening more”Pl-please! Call them off and I’ll speak, Sir!” she promised, her voice a stammer as she shook with terror.
She swallowed hard again “I-I will come with you, Sir.” she replied, that terror only dawning richer on her at his words.
[13:47:29] Crow (melchior.wardell) gave signal to both animals to heard her with him. A snap of his fingers to alarm them that they needed to remain focused. “Then by all means come and walk with me. ” he tells her as his hand waved towards the entrance of the city “And again … if you walk with me nothing happens. If you disengage … they will know what to do.” he cautioned her once more. He wouldn’t yet question her for now.
[13:49:16] Whisper quietly follows keeping her eyes locked on the the girl.
[13:50:23] Hecate trailed after, she was attentive and intense, her gold eyes staring as she stalked after, claws tapping upon the ground. She was following along at a distance, enough to make sure nothing could slip past should they turn and run, but also that she didn’t ram into anyone should they stop.
[13:50:47] Sabrina swallowed hard and nodded at his word s”I-I understand, Sir…” she said, moving to walk with him, the she-urt clearly quite happily following right behind him at his pace. Well. Not happily, but…she was still following. Her pounded in her chest, quieting considering her options as she followed in silence. There wasn’t any claims of innocence, nor attempts to barter. Not yet, anyway.
[13:52:20] Crow (melchior.wardell) studied her and noted that she was sort of injured. “Let us hope a physician is there. So you can not only be answering questions but also get that looked at.” as he indicated the injury on her belly.
[13:53:38] Kool Sim bell (wall): Crow (melchior.wardell)
♫ ◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡ ♪
PHYSICIANS: A visitor is seeking assistance with the Physicians
♫ ◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡◠◡ ♪
[13:57:50] Whisper stands off to the side watching the girl. Her tenses at the sound of the bell and growls a little. She otherwise kepts her eyes glued on the girl.
[14:01:39] Sabrina saw the two sleen diverge, opening up an exit for her. She was certain no matter what, death was likely coming for her. There was amoment where her body just seemed to twitch, like she was trying to work out what to do…
And then she turned and bolted.
[14:01:49] Crow (melchior.wardell): Go !
[14:01:53] Beast Claws LR Weapons 3.34 (only beast allowed): IRunOnCoffee Resident has enabled the Claws fight
[14:02:06] LR Dagger of Assassin [dagger 25%] 2.24: Drawn
[14:02:09] LR Dagger of Assassin [dagger 25%] 2.24: Sheathed
[14:02:41] zCS ⚔ IRunOnCoffee Resident captured Lysander Eguzkia. ⚔
[14:03:43] Crow (melchior.wardell) let the animals have their hunt and fun and when the captive falls to the floor, only then he approaches. He takes his dagger and starts to roam her hair as he cuts through fabric and ribbons to disarm her.
[14:04:11] Hecate chased after, the second she heard the go command she was after the woman, lurching after, despite the turning and chasing of the girl she took her down with a well placed claw aimed to slam her into a building. She didn’t gobble up the girl but instead stood there, growling and snarling a warning, that should she move again before crow got to her, she would be ended. AS crow came she backed up, waiting….watching. And laying in wait.
[14:04:22] Amoura Vale (irunoncoffee): ((wall not building*))
[14:04:38] Crow (melchior.wardell) would take a long piece of rope as he would take her by her wrists and starts to bind her. He was sufficient, quick even. He had a special signature knot that was hard to master as he tied her wrists together.
[14:05:03] Beast Claws LR Weapons 3.34 (only beast allowed): IRunOnCoffee Resident has disabled the Claws fight
[14:05:18] Crow (melchior.wardell) would take another piece of rope as to tie her feet as to ensure that she was no longer very mobile. “So foolish.” he muttered as he tied them tightly together.
[14:05:25] zCS Melchior Wardell tries to bind Lysander Eguzkia.
[14:05:27] zCS – Lysander Eguzkia has been bound by Melchior Wardell. –
[14:06:12] zCS Melchior Wardell leashed Lysander Eguzkia.
[14:06:15] Whisper chased after the girl but Hecate was hot on her trail. Once the girl was down she hovered near growling and snapping but didn’t make a move to attack. She sat back and watched.
[14:07:29] Sabrina had no weapons nor anything nasty, the woman soon stripped however. She lay there wheezing and clearly in pain, bleeding from the claw marks.
Tears were streaming down her cheeks from that agony and the fact she was…well and truly caught. About the worst that could happen to a she-urt. She had a strong feeling that things were about to become…very bad for her future wellbeing as well, her pallor quickly paling.
[14:08:49] Hecate rumbled and turned her head to Whisper, chuffing once before looking back to Crow and his new victim. She stayed back, the human had it under control. Her teeth twisting as she ignored the blood on her claws. She had done her job and now she waited.
[14:10:19] Crow (melchior.wardell) ‘s expression changed the moment Sabrina made her choice. The long chain came free with a quiet metallic rasp. He fastened it securely to the bindings before taking the remaining length into his hand. “So incredibly stupid.” His voice was low now, stripped of the earlier patience. He looked over the woman, taking in the worsening wound and the condition she had put herself in by running. “Here you are… more injured than you were.” The chain tightened just enough to make the point, not enough to cause harm. “And you ran out of my kindness.” His gaze settled on Sabrina, cold and unreadable before he would look at the two sleens. His eyes with appreciation to Hecate “Stay.” Then back to Sabrina. “Now we find out what you know.” His voice remained quiet, but whatever warmth had been present earlier was gone. “And this time, you will answer me. For any question unanswered I will cut my dagger deeper. Is this understood ?”
[14:12:47] Whisper heard the stay growled a little but stayed. Her ears going from flat to alert. She lowered herself. Slightly annoyed, a bit worked up from the chase but remained obedient.
[14:13:42] Sabrina was shaking with a combination of pain and terror, the blood from the vicious claw mark beginning to seep along the ground. She nodded at his words, the woman certainly not looking the best. She didn’t want that dagger dug into her skin on top of everything else, so she was apparently ready to cooperate now. Fully…The assassin and his sleen were very…persuasive.
[14:17:34] Hecate stared forth, her tail slowly flickering from side to side as teeth bared. However she stayed, waiting, watching, not moving. She obeyed Crow and a glance to Whisper to make sure the other was staying as well. But they obeyed without other question.
[14:20:09] Crow (melchior.wardell) noticed the blood first. His eyes dropped to the ground, following the thin trail for a moment before returning to Sabrina. The anger in his expression did not disappear, but it became controlled again. “Good.” He gave the chain a little slack. “Cooperation.” He stepped closer, examining the claw wound without touching it. “You are bleeding more than you were when I found you. That makes this conversation considerably less convenient.” A glance toward Hecate, then Whisper, both still under command. He looked back to Sabrina. “I am going to ask questions. You are going to answer them.” His tone was quiet and absolute. “And when we’re finished, I will decide whether that wound needs a Physician.” He didn’t give her any comfort or room. She was tied and still laying on the floor. “First question.” His eyes settled on her. “Did you place the meat by the fountain? And before you answer, remember that Hecate my sleen, followed your scent all the way from the wreck. So don’t waste either of our time by pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
[14:22:47] Whisper lays down and watches. Her eyes drifting from Crow to the girl awaiting the next command. Still a bit irritated and worked up.
[14:23:21] Sabrina swallowed hard as she caught his demeanor, saw that anger. The sleen were standing nearby and his dagger was out. She was naked and bound and while she’d been a bit of a dumbass in a final attempt for freedom, she wasn’t prepared to be stupid any longer. She nodded at his statement, that she would answer.
When he asked about the meat she swallowed hard, looking more afraid and stammered out “I-I did, Sir…”
[14:23:54] Hecate chuffed at Whisper. Before looking back to Crow, a clear sign to settle down from the older sleen. However even she seemed on edge. The chase having made her more upset. However even she was trying to settle so she didn’t take it out onto the others.
[14:25:43] Crow (melchior.wardell) held her gaze for a moment after the admission. No satisfaction crossed his face. Only the quiet calculation of someone who had just confirmed a suspicion. “I thought so.” His eyes shifted toward the direction of the fountain.”Why?” The single word was calm, but carried weight. He crouched slightly, bringing himself nearer to her level without softening the authority in his voice. “Was the meat meant for the sleen? Or was it meant to draw something else into the city?” he continued with his interrogation “And the scent you are carrying…” His eyes narrowed.”Did you come from the wreck?” He allowed the questions to hang rather than firing them at her one after another.”Start with the meat. Tell me what you were trying to accomplish.”
[14:28:16] Whisper chuffed in response to Hecate. She tilts her head slightly and silently drags herself closer to the pinned down girl.
[14:29:39] Sabrina was starting to feel warm and floaty as the blood continued to seep from her. Her senses beginning to dull slowly. She heard his question, seemed to take a long time to respond to it, almost seemed like she wasn’t about to respond at all.
“Wanted all the animals to come. Avarra magistrate had me unfairly earnotched. hadn’t stolen anything.” she murmured, revealing the intent of well, everything. Revenge. Simple, pure, devastating. “Never stole anything.”
[14:32:57] Hecate turned upon Whisper the second she tried to creep forwards, a singular paw going to slap the other sleen before she settled again, waiting, there had been no order to move! With that she waited, watching, seeing what was to be ordered next.
[14:40:45] Crow (melchior.wardell) ‘s attention followed the apprentice (NPC) as he took the leash and hauled the injured woman toward the infirmary. He watched for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Careful with her,” he called after him. “She’s injured. I want her alive and able to answer questions.” He then turned back toward the two sleens. The hard edge in his expression eased somewhat as he looked between Hecate and Whisper. The mystery of the cloth still bothered him. It had carried the scent that led them through Avarra, yet somehow that same scent had ultimately led them to Sabrina. He would have to examine it properly later. For now, the hunt was finished. He raised two fingers and snapped them sharply. “Come.” He turned toward the path away from the square, expecting the two forest sleens to follow. There was no urgency now. No trail to pursue, no quarry to corner. Only two hunters who had done their work. A faint smirk crossed his face. “You both earned something better than rotten meat.” He glanced over his shoulder at them. “And preferably something that isn’t trying to eat you back.” ((goodnight))
Crows Murder 
Leave a comment